TYPE Greek Imperial, Augustus, (27 BC - 14 AD), colonial brass AE23, issued under Rhoemetalkes I of Thrace (11 BC - 12 AD) DESCRIPTION . Obv: Laureate head of Augustus to right, Greek legend: KAISAROS SEVASTOU ("of the Augustus Caesar"), capricorn before Rev: Diademed head of Rhoemetalkes right, Greek legend: VASILEOS ROIMETALKOU REFERENCE: SGI 5395 GRADING: AVF, dark patina ORDER INFO: R2164, $52 Rhoemetalkes was apparently a good ruler, and a loyal ally of Augustus and Rome (which is rather obvious on his coinage). As in many other cases, however, when internal dissent followed his death for some time, Rome did away with native monarchs and turned Thrace into a province of the empire. Additionally, a historically interesting allegorical type, capricorn being Augustus' zodiacal sign. With the three powerful metaphors - "steering the world to prosperity" - the design embodied the very essence of imperial predestination as inaugurated by Augustus, and thenceforth carried on by his successors.